When to worry about joint pain with influenza

Influenza can trigger widespread muscle and joint aches along with fever, chills, headache, cough and marked tiredness. General soreness often appears with the illness and eases as the overall infection settles. Pain that is sharply localised, accompanied by obvious swelling or redness, or returning after improvement may have another explanation, including injury or infection.

Rest, drink fluids regularly if you can, and use the pain or fever medicine recommended for you. Follow label directions and check before combining products, since several cold remedies may contain the same ingredient. Note your temperature, breathing, hydration, and whether pain is widespread or confined to one joint. Limit strenuous exercise while feverish or weak.

Get emergency help for difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, chest pain, new confusion, fainting, or inability to stay awake. Seek urgent assessment for a hot swollen joint with fever, severe muscle pain with profound weakness, very little urine, or rapidly worsening illness. Contact a clinician if symptoms are not improving, you cannot keep fluids down, or you have a higher risk of complications.

Ask whether antiviral treatment or an examination is appropriate, which pain medicines fit your health history, and when to restart normal activity. Tell the clinician when flu symptoms began, whether fever remains, which joints hurt, and what medicines you have already taken.